Tree Planting in Montpelier

Tree Grants Now Available 

The Preservation Trust of Vermont is offering tree planting grants up to $10,000 to Vermont Designated Downtowns' and Designated Village Centers' municipalities and/or volunteer groups.  Recipients are required to provide a 1:1 match, cash and/or inkind. Application deadline is March 15, 2011 for the 2011 planting season. Total amount available is $75,000.

We are very grateful to Bruce Lisman for funding for the Community Forestry Project; to Bill deVos of Tree Works for his technical guidance and support; to Danielle Fitzko, Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Forests, Park and Recreation, for her partnership in planning and implementing this program, to the District Urban and Community Foresters for their technical assistance, and to the Vermont Downtown Program for marketing the grant.

Please visit our website for the full application.  For more information, please contact Paul Bruhn, Executive Director paul@ptvermont.org 802-343-0595 or Ann Cousins, Field Services ann@ptvermont.org 802-434-5014.

Preservation Grants Awarded

Since 1994 the Freeman Foundation and the Preservation Trust of Vermont have had a partnership to support preservation projects. Over $10 million in grants have been awarded to help more than 400 projects in communities throughout the state. These grants have played a key role in over $125 million in total rehabilitation work. The last round of grants includes: 

Albany Town Hall/Library: $27,500. The classic, white clapboard, gable-front former Congregational Church was built in 1848, and is located in the center of the village. The symmetrical plan features a three-stage bell tower with an open hexagonal belfry. Today the tower hosts a stealth wireless antenna.  In 1925 the Congregational Conference gave the building to the town for use as a community hall. In 1969, the Library moved into the back of the building in the former parsonage. Most of the proposed interior work is in the library, which is well used by the community's 300 patrons. The library is funded by a Town appropriation ($4,000 last year), donations and fundraising.  Over the past ten years the Town has invested approximately $20,000 into the building. This grant will enable them to reroof the Town Hall and Library entryways, build a handicap ramp, repair and weatherize library windows, upgrade electricity, and renovate the bathroom and the interior of the library.

Single Family Housing, Canaan: $15,000. Students from the Canaan Career Center have long focused their training on teaching building rehabilitations skills.  Several years ago, the Foundation funded work on the Alice Ward Library.  This year the students are working on rehabilitating the former Harvey Farmhouse, an 1860 farmhouse on the south end of the village. The ell is being converted into a single family house, and the main portion of the house was moved to an adjacent lot as a single family residence as well.  Both houses have been largely rehabilitated by student work crews. With work nearly complete, this grant will help them complete the funding and the project.

Brunswick Schoolhouse, Brunswick: $15,000.  Built in 1840 as a District School, the Brunswick Schoolhouse remains intact including the children's carved graffiti, desks, and slate blackboards. Around World War II, students commuted to Strafford, New Hampshire. At that time the school was used for Town Meetings.  In 2001, the Town built a new office across the street. Under the leadership of Brendan Whittaker, the community has been caring for the schoolhouse and restoring it along with memorabilia depicting its history. The schoolhouse serves as the entrance to Brunswick Springs, an Abenaki sacred site conserved with the help of the Freeman Foundation. This grant will enable the group to install a new roof, repair the chimney, fix the sill and install a new floor, and paint the building.

Poultney, Vermont. Photo by Alan Nyiri.

Statewide Historic Preservation & Downtown Conference

Green Mountain College and in the Community of Poultney, Vermont

Friday, April 29 · All Day

Come join participants from all over the state to hear professional presenters and participate in hands-on workshops and guided tours of local historic sites. This conference is a partnership between the Vermont Downtown Program and the Preservation Trust of Vermont.

More information coming soon to our website www.ptvermont.org and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation's website www.historicvermont.org. 

Preservation Retreat at the Grand Isle Lake House

2011 Preservation Retreats
The Preservation Trust of Vermont hosts two-day Preservation Retreats at the Grand Isle Lake House from Spring through Fall. Retreats are for groups undertaking historic preservation and community development projects.

For more information, please contact ann@ptvermont.org.

Conservation Connections: Building PARTNERSHIPS for Action
Saturday, April 2rd from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
College of St. Joseph, Rutland, Vermont
Join your fellow conservation leaders, town officials, volunteers, conservation organization staff and other partners to explore a wide range of issues and solutions, share resources and inspiration, and strengthen core capacities. Connect with individuals working on conservation and food systems initiatives in communities across Vermont.  

• A plenary session will explore the critical role of conservation in Vermont's economic and environmental future and our quality of life and issue a call to action
• Eighteen workshops will highlight conservation tools and methods, showcase successful collaborations, and offer practical management techniques
• Resource fair available throughout the day
• Lunchtime fieldtrip option to the nearby West Rutland Marsh birding area
• Closing reception featuring Vermont foods and products.

Sponsors: the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Vermont Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions, The Upper Valley Land Trust, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts, Rutland Area Farm and Food Link and the Land Trust Alliance.

Workshop descriptions and registration materials will be available soon on the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board website: www.vhcb.org.  Contact Karen Freeman for more information at kfreeman@vhcb.org or 802-828-5067. 

Governor Shumlin announces $2.9 million in Transportation Enhancements Grants

Governor Peter Shumlin recently announced that 18 Vermont communities will receive a combined $2.9 million for transportation enhancements projects.

In keeping with Legislative intent that priority be given to pedestrian and bicycle facilities, the lion's share of this year's awards went to sidewalks, bike paths and scoping studies for future pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Additional awards were given for the restoration of an historic covered bridge, enhancement of the state's welcome centers, and studies to determine the feasibility of future projects.

"The seed money provided by these grants will help communities enhance their livability as well as their economy," Gov. Shumlin said. "Helping our communities be places for walking and cycling increases their vitality. During tough economic times, it is critical for the state to partner with local governments to fund important transportation improvements that local cities and towns otherwise could not afford." 

Since 1995, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has annually awarded enhancements grants to communities and non-profit organizations for a wide range of federally-eligible projects such as restoring historic buildings, rebuilding and extending sidewalks, enhancing the environment, bike paths, purchasing scenic easements and repairing historic bridges.

Transportation Grants Awarded for 2011:

Castleton, Castleton Corners Sidewalk: $300,000.00

Jamaica, Jamaica Village Sidewalk: $293,894.00

Killington, Killington Road Walkway: $255,120.00

Williston, Route 2A Multi-Use Path: $208,805.83

Northfield, Village Common Implementation, Sidewalks: $200,000.00

Hyde Park, Depot Street Sidewalk: $146,200.00

Pittsford, Pittsford Sidewalk: $140,369.00

Barre Town, Bridge Street Sidewalk: $131,520.00

Guilford, Green River Covered Bridge Preservation: $123,680.00

Bennington, Middle Street Sidewalk: $60,800.00

Morristown-Stowe (LCPC), Multi-use Path Scoping Study: $38,724.00

Statewide, Visitor Center Sculpture Interpretation: $37,040.00

Killington, Streetscape Scoping Study: $30,000.00

Hartford, Rt. 5, I89 Interchange Pedestrian Scoping Study: $20,000.00

E. Montpelier, Bicycle and Pedestrian Scoping Study: $20,000.00

Rutland City,Rutland Creek Path: $300,000.00

South Hero (Local Motion), Causeway Bike Ferry: $300,000.00

St. Albans City, Pedestrian Enhancements: $300,000.00

Project in Progress: Pratt Hall, Montgomery, VT

The Montgomery Historical Society began a repair and restoration project on it's 176 year old, former Episcopal church on January 11th.  Now in full swing, project work includes fixing structural problems on the bottom section of it's 65-foot timber-framed, gothic clock tower.  The project involved expert evaluations funded in part by grants from the Preservation Trust of Vermont, while the hands on work is supported by a grant from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.  In the process of repairs, the contractor, Jan Lewandowski, uncovered further deterioration and the Historical Society is trying to raise an additional $5,2000 to complete this phase of the project.  An explanation of the project and photos can be accessed from the Montgomery Historical Society's home page. 

Creative Communities Exchange

May 19th and 20th, Mass MoCA, North Adams, MA

Berkshire Creative of Berkshire County, MA, and the New England Foundation for the Arts of Boston, MA, will host the Creative Communities Exchange, a major regional event highlighting successful creative economy work on May 19 and 20, 2011, at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. 

Building upon last year's Connecting Creative Communities summit in Providence, RI, co-sponsored by NEFA and the City of Providence, the Creative Communities Exchange will offer 32 workshops led by creative and cultural community leaders showcasing model projects in creative economy work at the local level. The gathering promises a dynamic setting for peer-to-peer learning and networking.

'We are thrilled to partner with NEFA to provide this opportunity for Creative Community practitioners to learn from their colleagues, and gain concrete tools for implementing proven initiatives and best practices," says Berkshire Creative director Helena Fruscio.

NEFA will present its first-ever creative economy awards to two projects during the closing session, recognizing excellence in cultural community building. "Though the creative economy movement is global, we know that success really happens locally - through the work of artists, nonprofits, businesses, and civic leaders," said NEFA executive director Rebecca Blunk. "We want to champion the innovative partnerships and inspired leadership in New England's creative economy." 

Registration is $80 through May 1 and $100 after; a limited number of scholarships are available.  For details, or for information on presenting, visit http://creative-communities-exchange.eventbrite.com/. 

Timber Framers Guild Apprenticeship Program 

The Timber Framers Guild, a 501-C3 educational association, is proud to announce the recent registration and implementation of a U.S. Department of Labor certified Apprenticeship Program. This is the result of investment by the general membership, staff time, and many volunteer hours over more than five years. This program reflects the will of the membership and the mission statement of the Timber Framers Guild.

Timber framing is a multi-disciplinary carpentry trade and its many aspects will be taught as part of our apprenticeship program. One segment of this broad-based education covers both our living timber framed architectural heritage, and necessary preservation methodologies. As preservation challenges emerge, the Guild is preparing a corps of trained and experienced timber frame preservation professionals.

The Guild has among its membership many preservation specialists, representing niche disciplines: mills, steeples, covered bridges, and the study, documentation and restoration of our many regional house and barn typologies. These people have willingly shared their knowledge and unique skill sets with others in the membership and some have authored monographs published by the Guild. Many of these same people have contributed to the Guild's curricula, and will continue to refine this foundation of our apprenticeship program for use in the continued training of coming generations of timber framers.

The Guild seeks project-based educational opportunities for Journeyworkers, Apprentices, Members and the Public as a means to deliver professional training in a workplace setting.

For more information on the Program: www.TFGuild.org, info@tfguild.org, PO Box 295, 9 Mechanic St., Alstead, NH 03602-0295. 

Preservationist Sally Fishburn re-glazing a historic wood window.

An Introduction to Repairing Wooden Windows

Monday February 28, 2011, Burlington, VT 

Free and open to the public!

Concerned your leaky old windows are costing you money? Frustrated with windows that won't open? Worried about dealing with the lead paint on your windows? Thinking replacement windows might be the solution?

We will answer these questions and more! Sally Fishburn, owner of S.A. Fishburn, Inc., an historic preservation company, and Judy Hayward, director of The Preservation Education Institute will present a lecture with hands-on demonstrations on Historic Wooden Windows.

The lecture will include information on the history, materials, and construction of wooden windows, restoration vs. replacement windows, energy efficiency, working with lead paint, window maintenance and restoration methods.  

This presentation will be held on Monday, February 28th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Front Conference Room at the Burlington Department of Public Works Building (corner of Pine St. and Lakeside Ave.). Watch an interview of Sally Fishburn and Judy Hayward on CCTV. 

This program is sponsored by a grant from the US National Park Service Certified Local Government Program and administered by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.  We are thankful to the Burlington Planning Department and Preservation Burlington for assistance in presenting this program. This program will be repeated at other sites in Vermont in 2011 and continuing education credit for architects is pending review and may be available.  Please call or email for details.

For more information, please email histwininc@valley.net or call 802 674-6752.  This program is produced by Historic Windsor, Inc. and its Preservation Education Institute. 

Dry Stone Walling Workshop

Dry Stone Walling Workshop

Saturday and Sunday, May 14, 15, 8AM - 4:30 PM

Dutton Farm, Dummerston, VT

The two-day hands-on workshop is designed to teach homeowners and tradespeople the structural techniques involved in building and restoring a historic field stone wall. The outdoor classroom, provides the setting for practicing proper dry stone walling techniques. Included in the workshop will be the age-old technique of splitting stone by use of pin and feathering. Knowledge gained will prepare students for their own projects and help train their eyes to identify proper walling techniques in all walls. Cost is $300. 

For more information, contact organizer Jared Flynn

jared.flynn@drystonevt.org, 802.579.6811.  To register for the Workshop, contact Zon Eastes, zon.eastes@drystonevt.org, 802.380.9550.

Housing is available at additional cost at the Landmark Trust's Dutton Farmhouse on a first come, first served basis.